The “Museum for Kids”
This is a cultural association where both boys and girls, as well as their parents, will find it interesting. The association is located in the Palazzo Vecchio and offers not only to immerse oneself in the history and art of the city in an engaging way but also to penetrate the secret corridors of the palace, follow in the footsteps of the heroes of “Inferno” by Dan Brown, talk to Cosimo I de’ Medici and Giorgio Vasari, dress up in court costumes and be presented to the queen, as well as try their hand at the “al-fresco” painting technique. In addition, interesting quests and events are often organized here, such as the opportunity to spend the night in a tent camp on the grounds of the Palazzo Vecchio.
The “Museum for Kids” association was established in 2000 and is a non-profit cultural foundation promoting the art of Florence among the youngest visitors to the city’s museums. The museum organizes educational and entertaining lectures and interactive tours at several museum sites in Florence – in the Palazzo Vecchio, the Museum of the 20th Century, the Brancacci Chapel, the museums of Santa Maria Novella, Stefano Bardini, and Leonardo da Vinci, as well as outdoor entertainment in the historic center of the city. The programs of the “Museum for Kids” are designed for ages 3 to 15 and are conducted in Italian, English, French, and Spanish. Numerous programs cater to a wide range of interests of the younger generation and are generally liked by adults as well.
At the Palazzo Vecchio, the youngest tourists are invited to learn the mysterious story of the Turtle and the Sail, immerse themselves in the world of nature’s scents, try on costumes and masks from the 16th century, visit Cosimo de’ Medici and Eleonora of Toledo, and even play with the toys of the 13 sons of the royal couple. Older visitors will be shown the secret passages of the palace, the hidden treasury of the Medici dukes, and interesting elements of its revolutionary construction for the 16th century. Fans of Dan Brown will be able to trace the plot of the novel directly at the location of its action. The girls will be presented at the Medici court by Eleonora’s favorite lady-in-waiting – Donna Isabella; she will also teach them how to wear dresses on a tournure and lace up a corset. And young art lovers will be introduced to the extraordinary world of painting by Giorgio Vasari himself.
The Museum of the 20th Century offers a journey through decades and styles of contemporary art and even the chance to create their own installation. In the Santa Maria Novella church, young tourists will learn everything about the fresco painting technique and the history of the presented works. In the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, boys will see famous machine drawings and will be able to assemble and launch them themselves.
The programs are constantly changing; please check with our managers for information on the availability of programs and the age of children.
The museum is open every day except December 24 and 25.
